Thursday, September 30, 2004

Just Missed 1st Annual Trenton Jazz Summit "Remembering Hank Mobley"- look out for 2nd Annual!

interesting....

full link:
http://www.ejazznews.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=3233

email addresses for contacts at end of article:

THE 1ST ANNUAL TRENTON JAZZ SUMMIT "Remembering Hank Mobley" September 18, 2004 Two shows 6:00 & 8:00pm @ Amber Cafe, Trenton N.J., will be musically nutritious for everyone who attends. The concert is a tribute to the late “Hank Mobley” who considered by many jazz educators and fans all over the world as one of most soulful, lyrical, melodic and prolific composers in the history of modern jazz. Hank recorded extensively with Blue Note records. Sharing the stage with many jazz greats including Miles Davis, Lee Morgan, Max Roach, McCoy Tyner, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Barry Harris, Herbie Hancock, Paul Chambers, Philly Joe Jones, Art Blakey, John Hicks, Freddie Hubbard, Wynton Kelly and the list goes on.

I’ve listen extensively for many, many, many hours and days to Hank’s music and have written lyrics to over 40 of his compositions. The stories talk about our everyday experiences and of course stories that we can all relate to. Hank possessed that gift that could you make you laugh, cry and dance all night long. We will transform that same spirit at the 1st Annual Trenton Jazz Summit. The cast of musicians on the bill will make everyone happy with memories that will last forever. I recommend to everyone to go to your local jazz store and purchase “Soul Station”. I guarantee you will be hooked on MOBLEY.

BOOTSIE BARNES a master saxophonist from Philadelphia and a close friend of the late Hank Mobley was very excited about the idea. He told me he hung with Hank to the end and would love to honor his musical buddy. Most of you probably remember watching the Cosby cartoon series. While growing up in Philadelphia Bootsie was a childhood friend with Bill Cosby since grade school. They're still close today. Cosby featured his childhood buddy as was one of the original characters in the cartoon. Bootsie Barnes.... can also swing and play that horn! He's Philadephia's diamond gem shinning bright as ever!

DON SICKLER a master musician, producer and arranger will be the featured on trumpet. He was also a close friend of Hank Mobley. He's written arrangements for me on over 25 of Hank Mobley’s classic compositions that I’ve had the honor of writing lyrics to. This will be treat for everyone who attends. Over the years Don has been involved with several Grammy award-winning recordings for Verve records. Most recently he received a Grammy Award for his work on the late Joe Henderson last CD "Lush Life" the music of Billy Strayhorn. Don Sicker is also the musical director for the Thelonious Monk competitions, which features some of today’s brightest stars. He works closely with Thelonouis Monk’s son T.S. Monk. Many musicians who have participated in the Monk competitions have gone on to stardom and have had very prosperous careers. You can hear Don’s arrangements on many major artists recordings. He's appeared on over 150 recordings. Don was also the music director for drummer Philly Joe Jones band “DAMERONIA“. Our pianist will be none other than

SID SIMMONS. A Philadelphia native and has played and recorded with many jazz giants including Grover Washington. KING JAMES will play the contra bass. I’ve been playing with him since my early developmental days in Washington DC during the early 70‘s at the Jazz Club called Pig Foot. We both started in the Jazz Workshop conducted by the late pianist John Malachi. Who happened to have played with gave the name to Sarah “Sassy” Sarah Vaughn back during the early 50‘s. James is a great bassist and you’ll love him.

RONNIE BURRAGE will be the drummer for the evening. I first met Ronnie when I was singing with James Moody “Moody’s Moody For Love” during the early 80’s. One particular week we were appearing at the Village Vanguard in NYC and McCoy Tyner’s group was playing at Sweet Basil one block away. Everyone was running back and forth between sets to see this young dynamic drummer that was setting the club on fire. It was Ronnie Burrage. I’ve been writing lyrics to Hank Mobley’s music for the past few years and recorded one of his most notable compositions “This I Dig of You” aka “Jazzinn Around” on my recent CD Live@JazzInn. www.jazzinn.com During the process I found out that Don Sickler publishes Hank’s music and several 100 other artist at Second Floor Music and he has given me permission to help myself with Hank’s compositions. To this day I’ve written lyrics to over 40 of his songs and have also recently finished writing a new JAZZICAL “Down By The River-East of the Village”. It’s an urban story of love, sadness, death, happiness and triumph with a script written around over 20 of Hank Mobley’s compositions. It will go into production after Don finishes producing my newest CD offering at none other than Rudy Van Gelder’s. Stay tune. Please show your support and attend the 1st Annual Trenton Jazz Summit. “Remembering Hank Mobley”. It will be a historic event and a concert you will not want to miss. Remember 2 shows and only 100 seats per show. Everyone is invited.The Hippest New Spot in the City of TrentonA Brand New EstablishmentAMBER CAFE, 905 Brunswick Ave @ Olden Ave, Trenton NJ, ambercafe@hotmail.com or georgevjohnsonjr@hotmail.comCharge tickets by phone 609-695-7333www.jazzinn.com or www.phillyjazz.org

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